Utah officers cleared in spraying of haka dancers

The officers said the dancers were blocking an exit as players and game officials were trying to leave

By Josh Loftin Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — Police in a small Utah town say officers who pepper-sprayed a group performing a traditional Polynesian haka dance after a high school football game last month followed departmental policy and did not violate state law.

A report released Wednesday says that while the two Roosevelt, Utah officers could have chosen other ways to maintain security, spraying the dancers and using batons was not inappropriate. The officers said the dancers were blocking an exit as players and game officials were trying to leave.